The cleanup challenge - Bunker Hill Superfund Site, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

摘要

Mining within the Coeur d'Alene Idaho Basin began more than 100 years ago. The Basin has been one of the leading silver, lead, and zinc-producing areas in the world, with production of approximately 1.2 billion ounces of silver, 8 million tons of lead, and 3.2 million tons of zinc. Mining wastes have been deposited through the basin and pose a threat to human health and the environment due to the presence of heavy metals. On September 12, 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, signed a Record of Decision (ROD) selecting actions to clean up mining contamination in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin of northern Idaho. This cleanup will be implemented over the next 30 years at a cost of about $360 million. The nature and extent of contamination in the Basin, threats to human health and the environment and elements of the cleanup decision are described as well as the formation of a Basin Commission that will implement the remedy.